1.
minute by minute, by the minute, down to the minute
A schedule or pace measured in minute-level increments. Describes an extremely tight or precisely timed schedule.
分刻みのスケジュールだ。
It's a minute-by-minute schedule.
社長は分刻みで動いている。
The company president operates on a minute-by-minute schedule.
選挙期間中は分刻みの予定が組まれていた。
During the election period, a minute-by-minute schedule was arranged.
Composed of 分 (minute) + 刻み (increments, intervals). Often used with の as a modifier: 分刻みの + noun.
Similar patterns exist with other time units:
- 秒刻み (second by second)
- 時間刻み (hour by hour)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 分刻みのスケジュール (minute-by-minute schedule)
- 分刻みで動く (operate on a minute-by-minute basis)